I'm a student of Western Riding. I ride with three other girls and we have a lot of fun. My instructors are Jay and Sue. They teach in very different ways; yet they are very helpful. I learn about many different things, which include learning how to groom, tack up, bareback ride, trail ride, walking the horse, trotting, cantering, and stopping.

When I go to my lesson, I first go and get a horse to ride. Then I bring him back to the barn where I hook him up to cross ties and groom him. What I do when I'm grooming is, I brush my horse and pick his hooves, (being careful not to hurt his frog - a frog is the sensitive part of a horse's hoof.) Next, I tack up, putting a blanket on him (this way his back won't be irritated by the saddle) and then a saddle. Finally, I put a bridle on him and lead him into the arena (an arena is the riding area.)

After my lesson, I lead him out of the arena and take the bridle off and put a halter on him with cross ties. Then I take the saddle and the blanket off and hang them up. Next I give him a quick brush (and myself if I need one), after that my friend Taylor's mom gives me a carrot to give to the horse I was riding. Finally, I lead him back up to his stall and go home.

Some of the horses I have ridden since September 4th, which was my first lesson, are Blueberry, Doc, Jaguar, Panda, Rescue, and Splash. A horse that I one day hope to own is my baby Rescue.

There are many different kinds of horses. Some of which are mustangs, thoroughbreds, appaloosas and many others.